Changing a tire may seem like a thing every driver knows how to do, but according to NBC News and other sources, “More than 60% of people cannot change a flat tire”, and with a majority of those drivers being millennials (yikes! - give me a break, my generation can barely iron clothes). Lucky us, we have the power of Google, right? Or you can simply read my blog as your tool to “Changing A Flat Tire Step-by-Step!”. Let’s get into it…
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED:
- A Car Jack
- A Lug wrench
- A Fully inflated spare tire (of course)
Step 0: BE SAFE!
Be sure that you are being safe and careful at all times if you can put your vibrant yellow/orange reflector coat on and light some flares even better, but not necessary. You DO NOT want to be changing your tire while taking the risks of being in potential danger by other drivers or other causes. I.e. changing a tire on a hill or on the side of a busy highway. Therefore, make sure you are on level ground and not in/near heavily trafficked areas. Turn on your hazards to let drivers know. BE IN PARK, with emergency brake activated! And, if you can wedge your tires in place to prevent rolling. Now, onto the steps!
Step 1: TAKE OFF HUBCAP AND LOOSEN LUG NUTS
Some vehicles may not have hubcaps or wheel covers, so you can then move onto loosening the lug nuts, but do not completely remove them! Simply place the wrench on each lug nut and turn counterclockwise (-or as I like to say “righty tighty, lefty loosey”). Make them loose enough to where you could unscrew them completely off by hand.
Step 2: PLACE YOUR CAR JACK AND REMOVE LUG NUTS
Make sure you know where your car’s “jack spot” is. This is a spot where your jack can be placed safely to raise your car. It is a metal bar/frame under your car. Once you place the jack, raise the flat tire/car roughly 5-6 inches above the ground. Wiggle your car a bit to ensure it is safely secured to avoid injuries. Once your car is raised, with your hands, remove the lug nuts completely and keep them all together in a place where you won't lose them.
Step 3: REMOVE FLAT AND PUT ON THE SPARE
With your hands, grab the flat tire and place it in a secured area in your truck or another place where you can then take it to properly dispose of the flat. Next, place your spare/replacement tire on by lining up the lug nut slots on the rim with the lug bolts and mount the spare. Be sure each lug bolt is pushed through the rim slots. After the spare is mounted, take the lug nuts that you have had safely stored together, and with your hands, tighten the lug nuts onto the lug bolts securely.
Step 4: LOWER THE CAR AND TIGHTEN LUG NUTS COMPLETELY
Lower your vehicle with the use of the car jack just enough to where the spare tire is touching the ground, but the weight of the car is still off of it. Take your lug wrench and tighten the lug nuts completely (that seems to be my “word of the day”). But yes, make sure they are on tightly, securely, and COMPLETELY. Righty tighty this time. Lower your vehicle completely onto the ground and remove the car jack. For extra security, give those lug nuts one last tightening using the weight of your body to push them as tight as they can be.
Step 5: CLEAN UP!
Wow, WE MADE IT TO THE LAST STEP! Place your hubcap back on your wheel (if necessary), and store all of your tire-changing-equipment away! It’s that simple!
To be sure you properly secured your spare you can always go to a mechanic or car parts store and ask the associates if they could kindly check to see if your spare was put on properly.
Safe travels friends!
See you soon!
Tianna Mick
Product/Sales Specialist
Savage 61 CDJR
